THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK AND THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTSAND SCIENCES ANNOUNCE DATES FOR THE 86th and 87th OSCAR® TELECASTS

For the first time, the ABC Television Network and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have announced airdates for the next two Oscar telecasts, the 86th and 87th. The 86th Academy Awards will air on Sunday, March 2, 2014, and the 87th on Sunday, February 22, 2015. The ceremonies will be held at The Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network.

ABC's broadcast of the 85th "Oscars" telecast drew an average audience of 40.4 million Total Viewers and delivered a 13.0 rating, 31 share among Adults 18-49. The 2013 "Oscars" is TV's most-watched entertainment telecast in 3 years, and grew its overall audience for the 2nd straight year (+3%), surging 11% in Adults 18-49 to its best numbers since 2010. Overall, it was the "Oscars'" 2nd-most-watched telecast since 2005. In addition, the Seth MacFarlane-hosted show scored big gains year to year with Adults 18-34 (+19%), hitting its highest number in 6 years - since 2007 - and towered over other awards shows, outdrawing the 2013 "Golden Globe Awards" by 20.7 million viewers and 103% in Adults 18-49 and the 2013 "Grammy Awards" by 12.0 million viewers and 29% in Adults 18-49.

The 85th Academy Awards were presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center, and were hosted by Seth MacFarlane. The Oscar presentation was televised live on the ABC Television Network, and in more than 225 countries worldwide.